Page 35 of Perfect Rhythm

SHADE

“What’s up? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a minute.” I leaned back in my chair, looking at my big brother as he slipped a cigar into his mouth. “Where your ass been hiding?”

“Shit, I ain’t been hiding.” He kicked his feet up on the desk and crossed one foot over the other. “I’ve been working. I finally got a decent manager to help me run the club back home, so now I can move back and forth like I normally do.”

“Aw damn, that’s right. I forgot you had to fire Lee’s thieving ass. Who did you get this time? I hope it’s not another broke ass nigga that can’t keep his sticky fingers out the cookie jar.”

“Hell no. I didn’t even choose a nigga this time. I felt like it was time for a change, and thankfully, I found her.” A smooth grin spread across his face, which meant she probably did more than the job he’d hired her for.

“Damn, you fucking her already?” I spat.

“What? No.”

“Yeah, okay. I know you.” I pointed at his phone. “Show me a picture. I know you got one.”

“I’m not showing you shit.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not.”

“Mmhmm. You know if I see a picture, I’m going to know the truth off the rip.”

He waved me off, then dropped his phone in the top drawer of his desk, taking another pull from his cigar.

Ocean definitely had a type. Tall, naturally bad, and legs for days. And if she was a dancer...game over. He always said that dancers had a kind of flexibility other women didn’t have, and based on experience, I couldn’t disagree.

“Enough about me.” He sat up, eyes narrowing with a smirk. “What I want to know is, when did you become the type to brawl in public over casual pussy? You fucking Nyx Fenton?”

I folded my arms over my chest, my head tilting to the side. “First off, you know better than to believe everything you see on the blogs. Second, it wasn’t a brawl. We just exchanged some words.”

“Hmm...okay. But are you fucking Nyx though?”

“No!” I lied.

He didn’t need to know the full truth yet. No one did.

“You sure? Because that’s not the vibe I’m getting.”

“I don’t give a damn about your vibes. I just did what needed to be done. That fool put his hands on the wrong one, so I checked his ass. That’s it.”

“So what, y’all a thing now or some shit?”

“Nah. We’re just friends.” I ran a hand down my face. “That’s it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “But you're trying to be more than that, huh?”

I paused, trying to find the right words. But who was I kidding? Pretending like I could bottle this shit up and hide the truth was a joke. I wasn’t just talking to some random ass nigga off the street. Ocean knew me too well. Even if I didn’t say a word, he’d see right through me, eventually.

“Hell yeah,” I finally admitted.

He dragged a hand down the back of his head and let out a low whistle. “Damn. I never thought I’d live to see this shit.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“So, what’s up? You claim you’re not smashing, but baby girl got your nose wide open. You must’ve gotten a whiff of the pussy or something. That’s the only logical explanation.”

“Damn, man, does everything have to be about pussy with you?”

“Oh, really? This is coming from the same nigga that just accused me of screwing my employee?”

He had a point. But I’d die before admitting that shit out loud.

“Man, whatever. Whether or not I’ve been anywhere near Nyx’s pussy isn’t the topic of discussion.”

“So you have?” He smirked, eyes lighting up. “What’s it like? I bet it’s pretty as fuck and smells like exotic fruit or some shit, huh?”

“Bro, chill. I’m not having that conversation with you.”

He grinned, nodding like he already knew.

“Yeah...she got that vibe. That shit must be crazy . Lowkey, I hate that you got to her ass before I did.” He paused, then shook his head.

“On second thought...nah, that’s all you, man.

Nyx look like the type to mess a nigga’s head up.

I don’t need that kind of distraction in my life.

I’m trying to stay focused and make this money. ”

There was a light knock at the door, then a petite woman with a long braid going down her back, stepped in.

Ocean lifted his gaze. “Hey, Sanya, what’s up?”

She paused, her eyes taking in every inch of me before offering a sheepish smile. “Oh...sorry. I didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”

“It’s cool,” he replied. “But feel free to stick your tongue back in your mouth. My brother is too pussy whipped to give you some dick right now.” He stood up and smoothed out his jacket. “Me? I’ll dick you down as soon as I’m done here.”

She giggled, and I shook my damn head.

This was how my brother talked to women, and for some reason, they let his ass get away with it.

“Actually, I was coming back here to let you know that someone was asking for you up front. But I’m still going to hold you to what you just said.”

“No worries. You know I always make good on my word.” He moved from around the desk and slapped her on the ass before looking back at me. “You coming?”

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Bet,” Ocean said as he strolled out of the office, still gripping Sanya’s ass like he owned it.

I pulled out my phone and glanced at the screen.

Nyx: Thanks for the flowers. They really cheered me up.

Nyx: Also, thanks for giving me some space. I just needed some time to myself.

Shade: Understood. Why did you need cheering up? Did everything go okay at your father’s birthday dinner?

The typing bubbles blinked on the screen, vanished, then reappeared.

Nyx: Yeah. Everything went fine.

I wasn’t convinced.

Shade: I feel like you’re not telling me the truth. But it’s cool. Whenever you’re ready to talk, I’m here.

Not calling her or just popping up at her crib was fucking killing me. But I was doing my best to respect her space.

Nyx: Thanks. So what’s up? What you got going tonight?

Shade: Not much. My brother is here, so we’re kicking it at his club.

Nyx: Really? So you’re being bombarded by ass and titties right now huh?

I laughed.

Shade: I wouldn’t say all that.

Nyx: Don’t make me come up there.

Shade: Why would you do that?

Nyx: Because I don’t want any of those hoes getting too comfortable. I’m the only one who can dance all over you.

A jealous Nyx was my favorite Nyx.

Shade: I mean, it’s their job to make sure I’m satisfied. That’s how they get paid.

Immediately, my phone started ringing.

“What’s up?” I answered, hoping that my smile didn’t bleed through the phone.

“Why are you fucking with me?” she hissed.

“Trust me, I’m not. I’m just speaking the truth.”

“Whatever. I meant what I said. No lap dances. If you want to sit there and stare at ass all night, be my guest. But keep your hands to yourself.”

“I’m not sure if I can make that promise, beautiful.”

Suddenly, I heard keys dangling in the background. “Fine. I’ll make sure of it myself.”

“Damn, girl, I’m just fucking with you. I’m not even anywhere near a dancer. I’m in my brother’s office.”

“Don’t be lying, Shade.”

“I’m not. I swear.” I tried to hold back my laughter, but I failed.

“Ain’t shit funny.”

“Yes, the hell it is. You were about to come up here and act crazy for no damn reason.”

“Oh, I had a reason.”

“Mmhmm. It’s good to hear your voice.”

“It’s good to hear yours too.”

“You good?”

“I’m okay. I just need to relax. I think I’m about to pour myself a glass of wine and run a hot bath.”

I bit the inside of my jaw, the thought of her being naked taking over my thoughts.

But instead of saying the first thing that came to mind, I reeled myself in and simply said, “That should definitely help you relax.” Silence fell between us.

“Well, I’ll let you get to it. Call me before you go to bed, so I can tell you goodnight. ”

It took her a minute to respond.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

“Because it’s not like you to try to get off the phone with me so quickly.”

“I wasn’t trying to get off the phone quickly. I was just trying to let you go do what you needed to do.”

“Yeah, but you also didn’t say anything about me saying I was about to run a hot bath. You do know I’m going to be naked, right?”

Yes, I fucking know.

“Nyx, go relax and call me later.”

Please. Because if you ask me anything else I’m going to say fuck your boundaries and give you some dick instead.

“Aye, man,” Trace said as he peeked through the doorway. “Your boy is out here clowning.”

“Who? Ocean?”

“Nah, Mecca.”

“What?”

“Yeah, he’s all up in your brother’s face talking shit. You better come do something before Ocean swings on his ass.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I gotta go.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Shit, I don’t know. But don’t forget to hit me up before you go to sleep.”

“Okay.”

I ended the call and raced out of the office.

Hopefully, I wasn’t too late.